Roger Federer on the verge of making history at Indian Wells

Briana DeAztlan, owner of Eventscape International, talks about installing the various flower walls at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
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Roger Federer of Switzerland plays against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. (Photo11: Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun)Buy Photo

Roger Federer began his 2006 season 16-0 before he lost a match. It has always been considered his best start to a season throughout his illustrious career.

He had already won seven Grand Slam titles and won three that year to bring his career total to nine. It was Federer at his peak, most believed.

This year, though, at 36 years old, Federer has already won the Australian Open for his 20th Grand Slam title. And with his 7-5, 6-1 win over Hyeon Chung on Thursday evening in Indian Wells, he’s again 16-0 for the season — tied for his best start to a season without a loss.

“Twelve years ago, a long time ago,” Federer said. “I don't know. What was I doing back then? I don't even remember what tournament I played first up and won. But, look, honestly I can't remember. I guess I had a similar good start to the year.

“It's a great start. Hopefully I can do one more and beat my best streak on Saturday.”

The win also puts Federer into the semifinals for a record 11th time here at the BNP Paribas Open, and the fourth time in his last four appearances at the event.

With 11-time major champion Rod Laver and 14-time winner Pete Sampras sitting in the Champions Box, at least 45 Grand Slam titles were accounted for inside Stadium 1 on Thursday night. Actor Steve Carell was seen taking in the action, along with billionaire tournament owner Larry Ellison.

Amid windy conditions, Federer lost his serve once in the first set, yet broke Chung twice to take the set and the momentum into the second, which he dominated.

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Hyeon Chung of South Korea plays against Roger Federer of Switzerland on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. (Photo11: Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun)

“He played just really good serve, good volley, good baseline,” Chung said, adding, “I’m just trying to learn from Roger."

Federer broke Chung twice more to command the lead, and with the crowd roaring behind him following every big point, he finished Chung with a series of backhands and slices that kept the South Korean rising star scrambling.

It was vintage Federer.

It was also something we’ve seen before from Federer, and something we may very well see again when he faces unseeded Croatian Borna Coric in the semifinals Saturday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

“I'm happy I found a way,” Federer said. “You know, started off really well, struggled afterwards, found my game back again and was able to protect it, saving big break points early on in the second set.

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Roger Federer of Switzerland plays against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. (Photo11: Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun)

“I think that was the key to the match, those 10, 15 minutes where I broke at the end of the first and then saved break points early in the second.”

With all of the talk about Federer defying his age a year ago when he won here and in Melbourne at 35, what he’s doing this year seems unfathomable. He’s back to the No. 1 ranking in the world, and is again off to one of his best starts.

And here at Indian Wells, he can take it a step further by capturing his record sixth title in the California desert with two more wins, and head into Miami to defend his title there playing the best tennis of his career at age 36.

“Here now I'm relieved that I was able to win three matches already,” Federer said Wednesday. “Because in a big, tough draw like here at Indian Wells, you're never quite sure what to expect. So I'm just happy I'm on a good run.”

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Roger Federer of Switzerland plays against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Venus Williams of the United States of America celebrates a break point against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Williams won the match 6-3, 6-2. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Venus Williams of the United States of America plays against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Williams won the match 6-3, 6-2. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Venus Williams of the United States of America plays against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Williams won the match 6-3, 6-2. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

South African Kevin Anderson plays against Borna Coric of Croatia on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain plays against Venus Williams of the United States of America on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Williams won the match 6-3, 6-2. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Venus Williams of the United States of America plays against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Williams won the match 6-3, 6-2. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Venus Williams of the United States of America celebrates a break point against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Williams won the match 6-3, 6-2. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

South African Kevin Anderson plays against Borna Coric of Croatia on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Borna Coric of Croatia plays against South African Kevin Anderson on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Borna Coric of Croatia plays against South African Kevin Anderson on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Borna Coric of Croatia plays against South African Kevin Anderson on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

South African Kevin Anderson plays against Borna Coric of Croatia on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

South African Kevin Anderson plays against Borna Coric of Croatia on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Venus Williams of the United States of America plays against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Williams won the match 6-3, 6-2. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Borna Coric of Croatia plays against South African Kevin Anderson on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Born Coric of Croatia celebrates winning a game against South African Kevin Anderson on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Comic won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Borna Coric of Croatia celebrates winning the second set against South African Kevin Anderson on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Coric won the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Hyeon Chung of South Korea plays against Roger Federer of Switzerland on Stadium One during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2018. Federer won the match 7-5, 6-1. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun